'Shocked': NFL hands down record suspension after 'shameful' outburst
Myles Garrett is done playing for the Cleveland Browns this season and the NFL isn't saying when the star defensive end will play again.
He was suspended for at least the rest of the regular season and postseason - if the Browns qualify - after Garrett swung an opponent's helmet and used it "as a weapon" by striking Pittsburgh quarterback Mason Rudolph in the head.
The violent outburst in the final seconds of Thursday's nationally televised game against the Steelers resulted in the longest suspension for a single on-field infraction in league history.
Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games in 2006.
The league's No.1 overall pick in 2017 was also fined an undisclosed amount, and Garrett must meet with Commissioner Roger Goodell before his reinstatement is considered.
Until then, the defensive end's career is on hold.
Most on social media were in agreement that the suspension was adequate, but some were surprised Rudolph escaped without incident.
There’s not a lot of space left for nuance on Twitter. But Myles Garrett was absolutely wrong. However he wasn’t the only one. Mason Rudolph def instigated. Both things can be true. And that doesn’t excuse Myles Garrett. It’s just what happened.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) November 15, 2019
Myles Garrett ripping the helmet off an opponent and then striking him over the head with it...Shameful. The @NFL got this right with an “indefinite suspension.” Just don’t cave next year when he apologizes.
— Scott Witt (@scottwitt) November 16, 2019
I believe the .@NFL and the .@nflcommish have gone WAY OVERBOARD with the suspension of @MylesLGarrett !!...ITS A VIOLENT GAME! & emotions are fueled by coaches!!..So the #NFL100 allows Greg Williams in the sport who was targeting NFL players for injury!!!..guy should be banned!
— Dan Sileo (@DanSileoShow) November 16, 2019
The @NFL should've suspended #Steelers QB Mason Rudolph, too.
While there is no excuse for what #Browns DE Myles Garrett did on Thursday night & his suspension is just, there were two clear moments in which Rudolph escalated the situation pic.twitter.com/PQ0gNeIu5s— Kevin Boilard (@247KevinBoilard) November 15, 2019
I'm not all that surprised that the league threw down an indefinite suspension for Myles Garrett, I am however shocked Mason Rudolph didn't even get one game. That doesn't seem right. #Browns
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) November 15, 2019
Myles Garrett should get a LONG suspension for that. Ripping off a quaterback's helmet, then bashing the helmetless quarterback in the head with his own helmet??? Never seen anything like it. So low.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 15, 2019
After wrestling Rudolph to the ground as the Browns were closing out a rare win over their rivals, Garrett ripped off the quarterback's helmet and clobbered him on top of the head, triggering a brawl that capped another physical game between the AFC North teams.
"I made a terrible mistake," Garrett said.
"I lost my cool and what I did was selfish and unacceptable. I know that we are all responsible for our actions and I can only prove my true character through my actions moving forward.
"I want to apologise to Mason Rudolph, my teammates, our entire organisation, our fans and to the NFL."
Cowardly: Rudolph
Rudolph, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, avoided serious injury and said after the game the attack was "cowardly and bush league".
The NFL said Garrett "violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting and removing an opponent's helmet and using it as a weapon".
Steelers centre Maurkice Pouncey, who was trying to separate Garrett and Rudolph, was suspended three games without pay and also fined for punching and kicking Garrett.
Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was suspended for one game. He shoved Rudolph to the ground from behind during the melee.
The Steelers and Browns were fined A$367,000 each.
Browns coach Freddie Kitchens met with Garrett at the team's training facility Friday and said the 23-year-old expressed more remorse.
"He understands that he let himself down, he let his teammates down and he let his organisation down," Kitchens said.
"We look at our team as a family, and in a family, sometimes family members make mistakes.
"We know who Myles is and the character that Myles has, and that is under no circumstance what he wants to be portrayed as. We will support him."